Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has partnered with GC Storage Services (GCSS) via its Flagship Fund CI V to develop a 2.3GW pipeline of large-scale battery storage systems (BESS) in Italy.
The collaboration will focus on both Northern Italy and Southern Italy for the deployment of stand-alone battery projects.
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The first project will be ready for construction in 2025.
The development of large-scale battery projects aligns with CIP’s growing focus on energy storage.
With Italy’s supportive regulatory environment, the partnership aims to leverage CIP’s expertise to advance its storage infrastructure projects.
The move also supports Italy’s aim to meet the nation’s 2030 renewable energy targets.
CIP Partner Nischal Agarwal stated: “The partnership with GCSS is a great opportunity for us to expand our pipeline of utility-scale battery storage projects and to enter the promising Italian market.
“Italy has a clear need for storage, and the enabling market and regulatory mechanisms are being put in place to make battery storage projects commercially attractive.”
CIP’s Flagship Fund CI V, completed in March 2025, exceeded its €12bn ($12.9bn) target.
The fund aims to invest across various energy transition technologies, including wind, solar photovoltaic and battery storage.
Targeting low-risk OECD countries in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, the fund reflects CIP’s strategic shift towards a broader, diversified energy portfolio.
GCSS CEO Roberto Castiglioni stated: “Together with Agnoli Giuggioli (AG), we created GCSS with the objective of developing one of Italy’s largest and most bankable battery storage platforms.
“Leveraging our UK expertise and AG’s deep local regulatory knowledge, we are building a portfolio of strategically distributed sites across key Italian zones.
“Partnering with such an experienced investor as CIP allows us to deliver projects that set new standards for energy storage in Italy.”
In October 2024, CIP made a final investment decision on a 220MW BESS project in Chile.
